Overview

Factual misinformation is spread in conflict zones around the world, often with dire consequences. But when is this misinformation actually believed, and when is it not? Seeing is Disbelieving examines the appeal and limits of dangerous misinformation in war, and is the go-to text for understanding false beliefs and their impact in modern armed conflict. Daniel Silverman extends the burgeoning study of factual misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fake news in social and political life into a crucial new domain, while providing a powerful new argument about the limits of misinformation in high-stakes situations. Rich evidence from the US drone campaign in Pakistan, the counterinsurgency against ISIL in Iraq, and the Syrian civil war provide the backdrop for practical lessons in promoting peace, fighting wars, managing conflict, and countering misinformation more effectively.

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9781009523578

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Reviews

'Neatly shows that in wartime people routinely believe false information that supports their side, until they have skin in the game and need accurate information to guide their behavior.' Sacha Altay, University of Zurich 'Why do people trust misinformation during conflicts? Daniel Silverman's critical book is ideal for both political psychologists and international relations theorists alike. It explores the micro-dynamics of misinformation, which has become the primary battlefronts in war. He examines whether people actually believe the lies they are told during war and how people sort fact from fiction as the intersection between the facts that they believe and what motivates them to do so? Drawing from quantitative and qualitative sources, this book offers a unique and granular understanding from the FARC, to the Taliban and ISIS of how people determine fact from fiction despite the fog of war.' Mia Bloom, Georgia State University and New America 'An eye-opening and colourful adventure that transformed my understanding of conflict …. I find myself applying this book's main idea all over the place.' Michael Spagat, Royal Holloway College, University of London 'An important and incredibly timely book for scholars and policymakers. Seeing is Disbelieving combines a novel theory with rich survey data, large-N empirical data, and in-depth fieldwork to help us better understand the reasons why people believe misinformation and hold misperceptions during conflict.' Thomas Zeitzoff, American University School of Public Affairs

Author Information

Daniel Silverman is Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University. He has published articles on international security, peace, and conflict in a number of leading scholarly journals including International Organization, International Studies Quarterly, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, and Journal of Peace Research, along with public-facing outlets such as The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, National Interest, and Political Violence at a Glance.

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